24: A different Pres Palmer (spoilers)

[Recoil]

Has anyone noticed that President Palmer is a bit different in this Season from the first 2? One of the strongest aspects of his character was his honesty and morals. He would always do the right thing, or tell the truth, no matter what he felt the costs might be.

So far 3 episodes into this season we have seen him agree (albeit reluctantly, but agree none the less) to do some "shady" things. Both, I might add, at the recommendation of his brother, who is supposed to be there to help him.

1) His brother got the debate bible for later in the evening, even AFTER Palmer said not to. However the brother teased him by saying Anne is in it, and he had to look at it. Palmer finally agreed, and for the first time I can remember ni 24, he did something of questionable morals.

2) He just agreed to PAY OFF the ex-husband of his girlfriend to keep him quiet! DAMN! Now he has just gone from "super President" to "any other politician" we have. All thanks to his bro.

Frankly, I see both of these coming back to hurt him BIG TIME. Especially #2. I can just imagine what happens when it comes out that the President paid Anne's ex-husband to keep quiet. The Press will be all over that saying that he bought his silence to protect Anne. The results will be worse than if he actually spoke out openly.

Anyone here think his brother is giving him some REAL bad advice lately? Shit, Mike made some bad calls in Season 2 and even in Season 1, but Palmer at least said no to him. This season, his brother is making worse decisions, and he is agreeing to them!

Going to be a rocky season for the President. Can you say 1 termer?

 

[The Juche Warrior]

Well, we don't exactly know what all happened to him over the last three years. Hopefully, they will fill us in over the course of the season.

 

[GKarsEye]

Palmer finally agreed, and for the first time I can remember ni 24, he did something of questionable morals.

Last season, he tortured that guy for info on the warhead. I'm not saying that was necessarily the wrong decision, but torture is always "questionable."

He also locked up that reporter, which is a violation of the the freedom of the press. Again, he had his reasons, but it's still questionable.

What bugs me about the pres' latest decision is that I don't even see how it's worth it. If he believes Ann, then he has nothing to hide. It's the ex-husband's word over Ann, and why should people believe a convicted felon?

I think if I were writing this story, I would have Wayne and Ann both be honest and genuinely supportive of the pres (despite Wayne's less than perfect behavior) but have Palmer distrust them in the end, ruining his either his presidency or his relationship with them.

 

[Recoil]

See GKe, I disagree.

I think BOTH those decisions, given the circumstances, were the right call and a PERFECT example of how he never backed down from his morals no matter what the end result may be.

1) Yes torturing may be cruel, but given what we were up against, it was the right call. If it ever came out what was done, he KNEW he wouldnt be popular for doing it, but it was what might have saved the country.

2) Locking up the reporter IMO was what REALLY clinched his great sense of right and wrong. This country would be ALL OVER "freedom of press." It was the unpopular decision to make. But he made it, and he did it, no matter what the public thought, because it was the RIGHT DECISION and what was best for the country in the circumstances --- even if we, the public wouldn't have understood it.

Those were reasons I thought he was of GREAT character last season, not of questionable one. This year however, is a bit different.

 

[GKarsEye]

Ok, I think you're talking about personal morality wereas I was talking about ethics, which are often different.
Torturing someone for national security is a violation of ethical principles, but they were in line with both Palmer's personal morality and his cause, which were congruent. An example of a choice which is "right" but unethical.
The playbook thing sacrifices both ethics and his personal morality (as he himself stated before agreeing to it) for pragmatism (even though I don't believe it's pragmatic).

The scary thing is, it's not unrealistic. Powerful men who were generally well-meaning and intelligent often turn into various degrees of dolts when they take control. Power corrupts, but I believe it also makes one kinda stupid.